DELAND, Fla. – A Volusia County man accused of severely abusing three children inside a DeLand home has been sentenced to 45 years in state prison after pleading no contest to 24 felony charges.
Shawn Stone entered the pleas during a Sept. 17 hearing in Volusia County. His charges included multiple counts of aggravated child abuse, false imprisonment and tampering with a witness in a life felony proceeding.
Circuit Judge Kathleen McNeilly sentenced Stone to 45 years in prison followed by lifetime probation.
The case came to the attention of law enforcement on May 9, 2023, when Stone’s live-in girlfriend, Taylor Schaefer, reported seeing Stone abuse her 5-year-old son through the home’s surveillance system while she was away.
Investigators said surveillance video captured Stone punching the boy and striking him with a mop following a bedwetting accident.
The child suffered a fractured skull. A subsequent medical examination by Child Protective Services documented 46 visible injuries on the boy, according to prosecutors.
Investigation uncovered abuse involving three children
Stone’s arrest led investigators to examine what was happening to all three children living in the DeLand home.
Authorities said surveillance recordings and an interview with the oldest child revealed a broader pattern of neglect and abuse.
Investigators also determined Schaefer knew Stone was abusing and neglecting the children but failed to intervene or protect them. Text messages exchanged between Stone and Schaefer provided additional evidence that Schaefer participated in the neglect and abuse, prosecutors said.
State Attorney R.J. Larizza said the case involved ongoing abuse that inflicted “chronic and profound pain and suffering” on the children.
The Volusia Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant State Attorney Ashley Terwilleger prosecuted Stone on behalf of the State of Florida.
Children’s mother sentenced to 60 years
Stone’s sentencing follows the conviction of Schaefer in the same case.
In March, Schaefer pleaded no contest to 25 felony charges related to the abuse and neglect of the children. She was sentenced to 60 years in state prison.
Stone will serve his 45-year prison sentence before beginning lifetime probation.